About the organisation
The primary objective of BeSmartOnline is to educate children, teenagers, parents, and educators on the safer use of the Internet, with the aim of empowering and protecting them from the various online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images (sexting). The project also promotes a balanced use of technology to prevent excessive use. By advocating responsible and safe internet use, BeSmartOnline is committed to making the internet a safer place for everyone.
BeSmartOnline is a collaborative endeavor led by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) in partnership with significant entities including the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes within The Ministry of Education, and the Cyber Crime Unit within Malta Police Force. This united effort is strengthened by strategic collaborators contributing insights through an Advisory Board. The project secures financial backing from the European Union through HADEA and is an integral part of the European network of Safer Internet Centres and hotlines, collectively known as INSAFE and INHOPE.
Awareness centre
The main objective of the awareness centre is to empower children, parents, carers and teachers to make the best use of the Internet while contributing on enhancing digital resource centres, from which specific awareness toolkits and services will be adapted and deployed, in collaboration with established third parties.
Contact and opening hours:
The Safer Internet Centre's Awareness services can be accessed through the contact form on our website:
Besmartonline.info, by sending a private message through our Facebook page, or by calling us directly at +356 22480152.
We are available from 08:30 to 17:00.
Helpline
The helpline is the national helpline for Malta and offers its services through a freephone number, 179. The helpline is heavily involved in awareness-raising efforts and also has a very close working relationship with the Malta Police Force and other agencies related to child protection and welfare.
The helpline provides support for young people and their parents encountering harmful content (grooming), conduct (cyberbullying) and web content by one-to-one conversations via telephone, e-mail and online chat services with trained counsellors on online related issues, drawing up operating guidelines and providing qualitative feedback at European level.
Contact and opening hours:
The BeSmartOnline helpline is available to the public through multiple contact methods:
- Phone: The public can reach the helpline by calling 179, the general helpline. The helpline operates 24/7.
- Email: Inquiries and requests for assistance can also be sent via email to 179.appogg@gov.mt.
These services are aimed at providing assistance with issues related to online safety, such as cyberbullying,
sexting, grooming, and excessive use of technology.
Hotline
The hotline receives reports through an online reporting form of content which is illegal by Maltese legislation. The hotline analysts review such content and refer it accordingly to the Maltese Cyber Crime Unit. Given that the hotline is a member of INHOPE, the reports are also referred to the hotline of the hosting country.
The public-facing Child Web Alert hotline is available for reporting illegal online content, particularly related to child sexual abuse material.
Contact and opening hours
The hotline operates 24/7, allowing reports to be submitted at any time. The service ensures confidentiality and acts promptly to investigate and take action on the reports received.
Methods of contact include:
- Online reporting form: reports can be submitted through the online reporting form available on the Child
Web Alert website.
Youth participation
Youth participation is formally organised through a youth panel. Supplementing this, the youth panel coordinator also visits a number of schools in order to gather more ideas and feedback.
How can you get involved?
Children and young people can actively participate in the work of the Safer Internet Centre in several ways:
- Joining the youth panel: the Youth Panel, run by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, gives young people the chance to voice their opinions, share experiences, and help shape internet safety initiatives. By joining, they can collaborate on awareness campaigns, provide input on online safety issues, and contribute to decisions that impact their online well-being.
- Workshops and events: the Safer Internet Centre, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children's Office, organizes workshops and events throughout the year, allowing young people to contribute ideas on safe online practices.
- Awareness campaigns: youth can also participate in awareness campaigns and initiatives, promoting a safer and more responsible use of the internet among their peers.
For more information or to express interest in joining, children and young people (or their guardians) can contact the Safer Internet Centre through the following methods:
- Website: visit BeSmartOnline.info for more information.
- Email: contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children via email at cfc@gov.mt.
These opportunities provide a platform for young people to be heard and to play an active role in promoting a safer online environment.
Key successes
The Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) has been successful in bringing together a number of key national entities whose mandates have traditionally had them working in isolation and in diverse fields. Through the project, it was recognised that the expertise of these entities and their respective objectives all diverge on the issues related to online risk. Having such a strong consortium has ensured that the SIC has managed to establish itself in Malta as national point of contact on this front.
This has been recognised by policy makers as evidenced by the number of times and extent to which the SIC has been consulted on policy and also legislative issues. The various collaborative efforts together with industry and the educational sector also recognise this.
Key partners/supporters
Key supporters of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) include:
- Kellimni.com
- Directorate for Educational Services
- Secretariat for Catholic Education
- Independent Schools Association
- National Youth Agency
- University of Malta
The BeSmartOnline! consortium understands that cooperation is key to the successful implementation of the project. In view of this, an Advisory Board has been set up to act as a central channel of communication among stakeholders within the field of internet safety.
About the organisation
The primary objective of BeSmartOnline is to educate children, teenagers, parents, and educators on the safer use of the Internet, with the aim of empowering and protecting them from the various online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images (sexting). The project also promotes a balanced use of technology to prevent excessive use. By advocating responsible and safe internet use, BeSmartOnline is committed to making the internet a safer place for everyone.
BeSmartOnline is a collaborative endeavor led by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) in partnership with significant entities including the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes within The Ministry of Education, and the Cyber Crime Unit within Malta Police Force. This united effort is strengthened by strategic collaborators contributing insights through an Advisory Board. The project secures financial backing from the European Union through HADEA and is an integral part of the European network of Safer Internet Centres and hotlines, collectively known as INSAFE and INHOPE.
Awareness centre
The main objective of the awareness centre is to empower children, parents, carers and teachers to make the best use of the Internet while contributing on enhancing digital resource centres, from which specific awareness toolkits and services will be adapted and deployed, in collaboration with established third parties.
Contact and opening hours:
The Safer Internet Centre's Awareness services can be accessed through the contact form on our website:
Besmartonline.info, by sending a private message through our Facebook page, or by calling us directly at +356 22480152.
We are available from 08:30 to 17:00.
Helpline
The helpline is the national helpline for Malta and offers its services through a freephone number, 179. The helpline is heavily involved in awareness-raising efforts and also has a very close working relationship with the Malta Police Force and other agencies related to child protection and welfare.
The helpline provides support for young people and their parents encountering harmful content (grooming), conduct (cyberbullying) and web content by one-to-one conversations via telephone, e-mail and online chat services with trained counsellors on online related issues, drawing up operating guidelines and providing qualitative feedback at European level.
Contact and opening hours:
The BeSmartOnline helpline is available to the public through multiple contact methods:
- Phone: The public can reach the helpline by calling 179, the general helpline. The helpline operates 24/7.
- Email: Inquiries and requests for assistance can also be sent via email to 179.appogg@gov.mt.
These services are aimed at providing assistance with issues related to online safety, such as cyberbullying,
sexting, grooming, and excessive use of technology.
Hotline
The hotline receives reports through an online reporting form of content which is illegal by Maltese legislation. The hotline analysts review such content and refer it accordingly to the Maltese Cyber Crime Unit. Given that the hotline is a member of INHOPE, the reports are also referred to the hotline of the hosting country.
The public-facing Child Web Alert hotline is available for reporting illegal online content, particularly related to child sexual abuse material.
Contact and opening hours
The hotline operates 24/7, allowing reports to be submitted at any time. The service ensures confidentiality and acts promptly to investigate and take action on the reports received.
Methods of contact include:
- Online reporting form: reports can be submitted through the online reporting form available on the Child
Web Alert website.
Youth participation
Youth participation is formally organised through a youth panel. Supplementing this, the youth panel coordinator also visits a number of schools in order to gather more ideas and feedback.
How can you get involved?
Children and young people can actively participate in the work of the Safer Internet Centre in several ways:
- Joining the youth panel: the Youth Panel, run by the Office of the Commissioner for Children, gives young people the chance to voice their opinions, share experiences, and help shape internet safety initiatives. By joining, they can collaborate on awareness campaigns, provide input on online safety issues, and contribute to decisions that impact their online well-being.
- Workshops and events: the Safer Internet Centre, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children's Office, organizes workshops and events throughout the year, allowing young people to contribute ideas on safe online practices.
- Awareness campaigns: youth can also participate in awareness campaigns and initiatives, promoting a safer and more responsible use of the internet among their peers.
For more information or to express interest in joining, children and young people (or their guardians) can contact the Safer Internet Centre through the following methods:
- Website: visit BeSmartOnline.info for more information.
- Email: contact the Office of the Commissioner for Children via email at cfc@gov.mt.
These opportunities provide a platform for young people to be heard and to play an active role in promoting a safer online environment.
Key successes
The Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) has been successful in bringing together a number of key national entities whose mandates have traditionally had them working in isolation and in diverse fields. Through the project, it was recognised that the expertise of these entities and their respective objectives all diverge on the issues related to online risk. Having such a strong consortium has ensured that the SIC has managed to establish itself in Malta as national point of contact on this front.
This has been recognised by policy makers as evidenced by the number of times and extent to which the SIC has been consulted on policy and also legislative issues. The various collaborative efforts together with industry and the educational sector also recognise this.
Key partners/supporters
Key supporters of the Maltese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) include:
- Kellimni.com
- Directorate for Educational Services
- Secretariat for Catholic Education
- Independent Schools Association
- National Youth Agency
- University of Malta
The BeSmartOnline! consortium understands that cooperation is key to the successful implementation of the project. In view of this, an Advisory Board has been set up to act as a central channel of communication among stakeholders within the field of internet safety.
Additional links / resources
Related news and resources
